Performance Measurement & Accountability Flashcards
7 cards from real CPM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Performance Measurement & Accountability flashcards as text
A public agency wants to measure whether its job-training program is actually reducing long-term unemployment. Which metric best captures this outcome?
Answer: Percentage of graduates employed 12 months after program completion
Outcome metrics measure the real-world impact of a program, such as sustained employment after training completion.
Which of the following best describes a 'lagging indicator' in public sector performance measurement?
Answer: A metric that reflects results after they have occurred
Lagging indicators report on outcomes that have already taken place, such as annual crime rates or completed project counts.
A city department sets a target of reducing permit processing time from 30 days to 15 days. After one year, average time is 22 days. How should a manager interpret this?
Answer: Partial progress was made but the target was not fully achieved
Recognizing partial progress allows managers to analyze barriers and adjust strategies rather than abandon goals.
In a balanced scorecard framework adapted for government, which perspective focuses on citizen satisfaction and public trust?
Answer: Customer/stakeholder perspective
The customer/stakeholder perspective in government balanced scorecards addresses how well the agency is serving constituents and building public trust.
What is the primary purpose of a logic model in performance management?
Answer: To link inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes in a causal chain
A logic model visually maps how program resources and activities are expected to produce desired outcomes, clarifying the theory of change.
Which practice most directly strengthens accountability in a public agency's performance reporting?
Answer: Assigning named individuals as owners for each key performance indicator
Assigning KPI owners creates clear responsibility and makes it easier to address gaps and recognize achievements.
A state agency discovers that two of its divisions are measuring 'response time' using different definitions. What is the most important corrective action?
Answer: Establish a standardized operational definition used consistently across the agency
Standardized operational definitions ensure that metrics are comparable, reliable, and meaningful across organizational units.